Taco Bell Attempts to Explain the 12% "Other" Ingredients in its Ground Beef

Taco Bell's ground beef has been heavily criticized in the past for containing a whole slew of unheard-of ingredients. Maltodextrin, anyone? But according to Business Insider, the fast food giant is now attempting to explain away the 88% beef and 12% "other" ingredients found in its ground beef recipe. Since consumers are becoming more and more interested in knowing what's actually in their food, it seems Taco Bell took the lay-it-all-out-on-the-table approach.

The company's website now has a page dedicated to the subject, titled, "What Are Those Other Ingredients?" Customers can click on buttons which explain certain ingredients like, "Isn't Cellulose a Fancy Term for Wood?" and "Potassium Chloride? Sounds like a science experiment." The explanations mostly try to diminish the consumer's potential worries by stating the other foods in which you can find those very same unpronounceable ingredients. And while the descriptions are probably truthful, they are definitely touting the positive side of said polarizing ingredient and not the negative. For example, the explanation for Potassium Chloride reads, "Well, potassium chloride is a common salt substitute used in the food industry. We actually used it to help reduce the amount of salt used in our seasoned beef recipe, which is part of our ongoing effort to reduce sodium levels in our ingredients while still delivering the same great taste you expect from us."

We're not so sure Taco Bell is off the hook with its new tactic, but some Taco Bell fans might be satisfied with the brand's attempt to be up front.

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